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The Secret Library
Through Hear Our Voices Tours, I was able to read an advance copy of The Secret Library by Kekla Magoon. Eleven-year-old Dally’s journey through her family’s secrets, as well as her own discovery of who she is and the choices she makes for the person she wants to become, inspired this playlist. It’s quiet and… Continue reading
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we keep on living.
i have been in a near constant state of grief for over half a year. i am grieving a childhood i never had. i am grieving the adult years i lost to someone who took almost everything from me. i am grieving friendships that have changed and moved on. i am grieving hands and eyes… Continue reading
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Attica
I almost couldn’t finish this. This retelling of state violence against incarcerated people before, during, and after the Attica Uprising in 1971, and in particular, the torture endured by Frank “Big Black” Smith afterwards, was graphic and intense. It’s also really important to know- I hadn’t known most of the details of the Attica Uprising… Continue reading
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on being timid – with Timid, by Harry Woodgate
timid: 1. lacking in courage or self-confidence. 2. lacking in boldness or determination. (from Merriam-Webster.com) i’ve always been timid. growing up, i never raised my hand in class. i never initiated conversations with my peers, and spent most of my time alone. when i got older and went to college, it was worse. so many… Continue reading
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Hear Our Voices book tour stop: My Teacher Has Tattoos
My Teacher Has Tattoos by Darren López is a children’s book based on the author’s own experience as a first-year teacher in Washington D.C. In the book, beautifully illustrated by Bhagya Madanasinghe, a student named Xavier has questions when he notices that his new teacher, Mr. Mendoza, has tattoos. His confusion stems from the fact… Continue reading
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Essential Labor
I started reading this as a mom – a Filipina mom, also working outside the home, and always aware of the weight and value of all of the different types of work I do, seen and unseen. I’m only in the intro, but it has me reflecting critically on what it means to be a… Continue reading
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becoming
i grew up in a household that focused on assimilation. while we ate filipino food and had a handful of customs, these were mostly viewed as something inferior, something we only did at home, something never to be shared, because it wasn’t good enough. we never learned our native language because it wasn’t deemed necessary.… Continue reading
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Pedro and Daniel
TW: discussion of book that deals with child abuse, domestic violence, colorism, racism, homophobia, sexual abuse, suicidal ideation Pedro and Daniel by Federico Erebia follows the friendship of two brothers as they encounter abuse, colorism, racism, and homophobia, both together as well as on their own. The POV switches throughout the book between the two… Continue reading
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The Magic Fish
Just finished reading The Magic Fish, Trung Le Nguyen’s debut graphic novel. It tells the story of Tiến and his mother, Hiền, who share a love of fairy tales. They read them aloud together every day as a way for Hiền to practice her English. She mainly speaks Vietnamese, while Tiến mostly speaks English. The… Continue reading
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11 Days Before Today
It’s eleven days before my deadline and I’m not sure what I want to write about yet. I’ve consulted with friends and other trusted colleagues who will encourage me, but not put too much pressure on me. I’ve conveniently avoided one of my dearest mentors who will, in the most loving way possible, hold the… Continue reading
About Me
musings and imaginings of what we could become. what kinds of communities could we create? what kinds of schools could we build? what kinds of relationships could we grow? we don’t have to live this way. we could become something different.
becoming 